God's Transforming Presence
Throughout today's readings, a powerful message emerges: God is actively transforming the hearts and lives of those who seek Him. This transformation is evident in three profound moments from Scripture. In Genesis, we see Jacob’s dream, a pivotal encounter that marks a turning point in his journey and understanding of God. In Psalm 4, David pours out his heart, seeking God’s mercy and finding peace in His presence. And in Luke 11, Jesus calls us into a deeper relationship with God through persistent prayer and steadfast faith.
God’s Presence Is Intimate and Transforming
Jesus reveals that God’s presence is not distant or indifferent. He criticizes the religious leaders of His time for presenting God as a stern, unapproachable figure. Instead, He shows us a loving Father who desires to give good gifts to His children, including the Holy Spirit. This is a God who meets us in our brokenness, invites us into His presence, and transforms us from the inside out.
A Daily Reality
God’s transformative power is not just an abstract idea; it is a daily reality. In Genesis 28, Jacob’s dream of the stairway to heaven, coupled with God’s promises, is a vivid reminder that God is with us, guiding and blessing us. Jacob’s response is to vow to worship God, marking the holy place as Bethel, the “House of God.”
Similarly, Jesus’ teachings in Luke 11 emphasize the power of persistent, heartfelt prayer. Through prayer, we are drawn into closer communion with God—a relationship that continually shapes and renews us. Jesus warns against hypocrisy and empty religious practices, urging us to cultivate inner righteousness and genuine faith. His words remind us that God’s kingdom is not a distant future promise but a present and active force in our lives—a kingdom of peace, love, and hope.
Embracing Transformation
As citizens of this kingdom, we are called to internalize this transformative message and allow God’s love to change us. By walking in the light and truth of Jesus’ teachings, we are set free from the burdens of our past, our regrets, and our failures. We are invited into a new identity as beloved children of God, embraced by His grace and love.
My prayer for you is this: open your heart to God’s transforming presence. Embrace the journey of being made new in Christ. Believe in the profound truth that God is with you, guiding and blessing you. Just as Jacob set a stone to mark the place where he encountered God, may we mark our lives with moments of divine encounter and transformation. May we continually grow in faith and love.
This is the prayer I have for my own soul. It is the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And it is the prayer I have for you.
May it be so.
